STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

There are fewer and fewer first-wave punk rock bands still in existence – who first crashed on the scene back in the days when the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and the Clash ruled. However, Stiff Little Fingers are not only still in existence, but are rocking as hard as ever – and still led by original singer/guitarist, Jake Burns (rhythm guitarist Ian McCallum, bassist Ali McMordie, and drummer Steve Grantley round out the line-up).

And Canadian fans are in for a special treat, when SLF tours the Great White North throughout November – beginning on the 7th at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, before wrapping up on the 29th at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver. And on all the dates, The Mahones will serve as special guests.

Stiff Little Fingers wrote initially about their own lives, growing up at the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, in songs like “Suspect Device” and “Wasted Life.” In November of ’77, they released those two songs on their own Rigid Digits label, and sent a copy to BBC Radio One DJ John Peel, who started playing it every night.

These were the first of what became SLF’s signature style: lyrics that meld the personal and political, music that combines the energy of punk with infectious hooks, and delivery that rings of honesty and commitment. In 1979, they became the first band ever to hit the UK top 20 album charts on an independent label, with their classic debut, ‘Inflammable Material.’

Aside from a five-year break from 1982-1987, Stiff Little Fingers has always remained in business, and as a result, have been named as a major influence on a variety of subsequent bands, including such renowned names as Bad Religion, Sugar, Rancid, and Therapy, to name but a few. In 2014, the band issued their latest release (and tenth studio recording overall), ‘No Going Back.’

And soon, Canadian punk fans will get the opportunity to catch this legendary band on a nearby concert stage.